Cycle from Istria to Alps, run around Velenje Lake

Portorož, 13 September - Recreation enthusiasts are invited this week to participate in a cycling stage race from the Slovenian Istria to the country's highest road pass in the Julian Alps, run around Velenje Lake for a humanitarian cause or climb the giant ski flying hill in the Planica Nordic Centre.

VelenjeVelenje LakePhoto: Daniel Novakovič/STA

VršičVršič mountain passPhoto: Tinkara Zupan/STA

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"SeAlps Challenge is a unique four-day cycling experience which will take you from the Adriatic Sea to the heart of the Slovenian Alps. It is the first multi-day cycling stage race in the region", the organisers say.

The race consists of four stages which will take the participants from the Slovenian Istria to the Alps, with the finish at Vršič, the highest mountain pass in Slovenia.

The first stage is a time trial from Portorož to Korte, the second stage runs from Portorož to Postojna (122 km), the third stage Postojna over the Goriška brda hills to Nova Gorica (110 km), and the fourth stage from Nova Gorica to Vršič (125 km).

The 3rd Pika's Ultra Run is meanwhile a 24-hour humanitarian event taking place around Velenje Lake as a prelude for the 28th Pippi Longstocking Festival for children, which will be held in Velenje between 17 and 23 September.

The run will start on Friday at 6 PM. The participants are encouraged to run or walk as much as they can in the next 24 hours as an expression of good will - participation fees will go to a local charity for children.

The event is part of a world series featuring 14 competitions at 14 ski jumping hills around the world. "The Planica hill is considered the most difficult", the organisers say.

Residents of the Ljubljana area are invited to a sport market in the capital's Congress Square on Saturday as part of the Sport Week, which will feature presentations of sport associations and price draws organised by sponsors.

The festivities starting at 9 AM will conclude with a street basketball tournament at 6 PM.